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271. The Gift of the Helper

John 14:15-21 Romans 8:22-27
Key Verse: "In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
Romans 8:26

How can sinful man and a Holy God truly become One? It's understandable that Jesus and God are One. After all, Jesus always was fully God and with the incarnation became fully man. He bridged the gap between us and made a way for us to have access to God the Father, but even a bridge cannot bring two separate sides of a river together. A bridge can join, but not meld two separate pieces of land.

Yet, now, we are introduced to the third part of the trinity who will do just that. It is the Holy Spirit who makes it possible for Jesus to live in our hearts. "Because I live, you also will live." (John 14:19B)

Remember, the disciples are still living in the Old Testament. They are familiar with stories of the Spirit of God coming upon certain people from time to time to enable them to do amazing things. The Spirit of God made Samson strong. It made even King Saul dance. It purified Isaiah, enabled Elijah and Elisha to do amazing things and enabled the prophets to declare amazing proclamations. It made the elders of Israel dance in the desert and wrestled with Jacob. The disciples understood visits of the Holy Spirit on certain, chosen people, but the idea of actually living with them, among them, within them, was not a concept easily understood. Change was coming. Jesus was preparing them for the change even though, as with so many things Jesus had attempted to prepare them for, they, as of yet, did not understand.

"The Holy Spirit will help you understand. He will give you wise counsel so that you will obey Me. The Holy Spirit will help you love Me and if you love Me, you will want to obey Me and keep My commandments. This is how you will show your love for Me, through your obedience." Remember, love is an action word, not a feeling.

In turn, the Holy Spirit will help God understand us. It is the glue that holds us all together. It is better than a bridge between two points. It is the glue that makes us One with Him and one with one another.

The Holy Spirit is our guide and conscience. It is the infinite God living in us, and in so doing, we are becoming His temple. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body." (1 Cor. 6:19-20) Remember, the bride price for you is Christ's blood. He paid more than any other groom could. When you obey Him, you honor Him and your groom is glorified by your obedience. It is in your obedience that you demonstrate to Him just how much you love and trust Him. Here, on this evening together, Jesus is planting a seed that He will nourish and someday soon, they will understand better, as will we. To be truthful, we will not understand completely perhaps, until eternity.

Hymn: "Come, Holy Ghost, Who Ever One"  (This song was written in the 1st Century! By a man named Ambrose)

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